In February 2026, the Digital Scholarship Lab (DSL) collaborated with Dr. Jisun Lee’s course, PDC 491 – Special Topics in Planning, Design and Construction: Virtual Reality Application in Interior Design, to integrate immersive storytelling and 360 media production into student learning. 

This partnership was supported by a Catalyst Grant the DSL received from the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI), which funds innovative digital learning experiences across campus. Through this grant, the DSL purchased ten Insta 360 X5 camera kits, including selfie sticks and cases, to expand opportunities for students to create immersive media for the 360 Room or Virtual Reality. 

With access to this equipment and tailored technical support, PDC 491 students explored how 360 videos can convey meaning about environments through atmosphere and perspective. Responding to the prompt, “A Place That Represents Me,” students produced short 360 videos featuring locations within the MSU Main Library that held personal significance. Sharing why the location mattered to them, what emotions or spatial qualities it embodied, and how immersive viewing reshapes spatial understanding, students explored how 360 video functions as an experiential form of design communication. 

The DSL continues to expand its support for immersive media creation across campus. Instructors interested in incorporating immersive digital storytelling into future courses are encouraged to reach out for a consultation.